Linda Murphy 1965-2025

Linda was born May 19, 1965, in Youngstown, the daughter of Bob and Sue Slovkovsky. She married John Murphy on a perfect summer day on June 4, 1999. Together they had and raised their son, John Murphy, and built a wonderful life as a family. Linda was a dedicated, loving, fiercely loyal and happy wife and mother. She loved her two “Johnny Murphs” with her entire heart and soul. Her life was a beautiful example to all who knew her of happiness, love, compassion, generosity and kindness.

Linda was a proud graduate of Chaney High School in 1983 and graduated in 1987 with her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Youngstown State University, from where she also earned her master’s degree in education. She began teaching for the Youngstown City Schools upon her college graduation in 1987 and taught there for over 37 years until her recent retirement in January 2025. Linda was an amazing and dedicated teacher.

Linda was also a natural hostess and friend. Wherever she went, fun followed. Linda loved to smile and laugh, and she loved a good party. Her happiness was contagious and her smile lit up every room into which she walked. Linda knew how to make everyone around her comfortable and she always welcomed all friends and family into her home. In fact, she treated her friends as a part of her family, especially her Ray Anderson, whom she loved like a son. Linda never met a stranger in her whole life and treated everyone she met as being special to her.

Some of Linda’s favorite things to do were to spend time at the beach, especially Spring break trips to Siesta Key, where she loved the sunsets, to spend time anywhere with her sisters, girlfriends and nieces, but most especially during their New York City trips, and to spend time doing anything with her family whom she treasured.

Above all else, Linda loved her son, John, beyond everything. She supported him in everything he did and in all of his sporting events, including baseball, basketball and football, in every stage of his life. Linda was so often spotted nervously pacing back and forth at John’s sporting events. She was, and for eternity will continue to be, his No. 1 fan of all time.

Linda leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, John Murphy; her beloved son, John Murphy; her siblings, Terry Slovkovsky and Donna (Tom) Chaffee; her in-laws, Bridget (Chris) Weber, Joanie Murphy, Jennifer (Mike) Ritter, Mollie Kay, Liz (Dave) Phillips and Dan (Leslie) Murphy; her nieces and nephews, Kelly (Tim) Persin, Shannon Chaffee, Charlotte and Jack Persin, Jackie (Matt) Schaade, Siobhan Schaade, Joe (Mikayla) Weber, Jake Weber, Lynnie, Anthony and Daniel Ritter, Pat, Carolyn and Matt Kay, Michael, Mark and Jack Phillips, and Luke, Janine and Cara Murphy; and extended family and countless friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, John T. and Joanne Murphy; and her niece, Kayla Chaffee.

Linda’s family would like to thank all of her friends and family, especially “Linda’s Ladies,” for your love and unwavering support for Linda during her fight. You have been a beautiful example to all of us of strength, friendship, selflessness and love, and we are forever grateful.

Calling hours will be noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starrs Centre Drive.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Linda 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, 202,5 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Church, 7345 Westview Drive. She will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com.

“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”

(special notice)